Minutes:
Richard Rogers, Community Engagement Manager, gave a presentation on ‘Legacy for Wiltshire – What’s happening in 2016’.
Mr Rogers presented on the idea of ‘leaving a legacy’ for Wiltshire. He explained that there had been two successful local events previously in Wiltshire – The Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee. It was felt that momentum had built up through the success of these events and that there was a desire to leave a legacy for Wiltshire; for example, a stronger local economy and more active people within the community. Mr Rogers encouraged the meeting to coordinate and cooperate together in the creation of local events.
Events for 2016 were highlighted, such as, the Queen’s 90th birthday and sporting events. Mr Rogers encouraged the meeting to celebrate national events together as a local community, through the organisation of events such as ‘Street Parties’ during the Queen’s 90th birthday. He identified that such events could help to provide an ample opportunity for isolated or older people to become more involved and engaged in the community and he encouraged the meeting to enjoy celebrations together as a whole unit. He stated that if individuals wanted to organise an event in their area, such as a Street Party, then the Community Engagement Officers were available to offer help and support. Mr Rogers drew attention to the fact that on 11 June 2016 at the Springfield Campus, Corsham an event would be held for the Queen’s 90th Birthday.
Mr Rogers also presented on another event – ‘Clean for the Queen’ – he thanked the Town and Parish Councils on their efforts in working with Wiltshire Council to ensure that Corsham is a very clean area, and he outlined how the local community can help to maintain Corsham’s excellent level of cleanliness.
A further event was also highlighted – The Big Pledge. This was explained as an initiative designed to get the maximum number of people active and Mr Rogers commented that this related to all ages and abilities. A National Fundraising Day would be organised for March, where local businesses would be correlating with local athletes. The meeting were encouraged to coordinate and cooperate to help ensure that Corsham could become a truly active society.
Mr Rogers then presented on the topic of ‘Sky Rides’ and stated that Sky Rides had been organised for across the whole country. A Sky Ride was explained as being a professionally lead cycle ride; it was outlined that there were many different rides that vary in distance and intensity and that the only prerequisite to participating was that one knew how to ride a bicycle.
The meeting’s attention was then drawn to the ‘Get Wiltshire Walking’ website https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/get-wiltshire-walking and to the Walking Festival organised for 17-19 June 2016. Mr Rogers informed the meeting that he could help to support individuals who wished to participate in any local sporting activities and also those who wished to organise sporting activities of their own and he drew attention to the fact that funding could be available for anyone wishing to create their own sporting event.
Mr Rogers concluded his presentation by noting that on 26 February 2016 an event entitled ‘The Big Get Together’ has been organised at the Springfield Campus for the over 55 year olds; the event was explained as having been organised as a means of helping individuals remaining involved in the community once they have retired. Mr Rogers stated that if anyone wished to participate in the event, they should inform him.